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*[http://www.serviceanswers.com/serve.php?uvx=q_WLxz7hodE_I4ZPbDKKdny0MLrD6Wfikr9QchdjWvZjDAcDhnUZaeRASWomqiEv_A8GuuPho44LPVFdiUIYjdZD-laSnv5niDmKR4Dd36c60IpMAJrNfsAoqJKvpPBb8mhM4_t9x9Z7zCzxT4k2ClnpJdoANRd4EOlLa2_3g6tY8MxMpXDswip2cLtYk8PBT5bYi-3KfeM5BgEqr4acBd6B3p5HfcgxC1X45owpZ7Umhad_yo3CJBQWFSTJhE832jQ2MjB6dJhitrMK1YERQpgqzatWjq1ZWn2GTZNvQ-qI0xMwH7k-nNlZdP6X3riFAv1LpOHQWdiKnd_LnaJXg7yFYbdOGEpgIGBpTytj6ui3fCJMqeQ5-cXBHr7UkSRXyhF6-e2cm4tZvdfqDIUfmAV3QDrbhdLmAy462KAz3dk7BA5JVJuz2rsvPvxJdZkFXDrQ1nsLnwvrZshz_kS1neZUePsiqR0YYwwHA4Z1GWk5z_2ZbZ2qdiJF6-aqMo1AyYP4DuEOJPCAMAeOe1-HUjousLEJmkcM22okscnECFfu-jWsjoyeYrTCF9SwYW_Kkxfw8uFZ-dirLmj-y0hj4oOspaBaTaDQ4Xlk0gN3BdTvRurb6WiD6D0uHFH8Nob9 Service Answers]

Record Description

This collection will include records from 1974-1997. Index and images of obituaries from Fresno and Napa Counties.

To begin your search you will need to know the following:

Name of deceased

Identifying formation such as death date

Search the Collection

To search the collection by name fill in your ancestor’s name in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about those in the list to what you already know about your own ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person.

If you did not find the person you were looking for, you may need to search the collection image by image. ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Surname Range" which takes you to the images

Look at the images one by one. Again you will need to compare the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor.

Be aware that with either search you may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination. Keep in mind:

There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.

You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.

Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.

Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Using the Information

When you have located your ancestor’s obituary, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These records are often brief so it can be easy to confuse individuals. Compare what information is given with what you already know about your ancestor to make sure it is the correct person.

Next, look at the pieces of information given in the obituary for new information. Add any new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:

Use the birth date or year to search for birth records.

Use the birth date along with relative’s names to find the family in census records.

Use the locality and relative’s names to locate church and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Information in these records is brief so it is easy to confuse individuals.

The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral and cemetery records, which often include the names and residences of other family members.

Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.

When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.

Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor.

Search the indexes and records of nearby cemeteries.

Related Websites

Related Wiki Articles

[California Obituaries]

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Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections

Citations for individual image records are available for this collection. Browse through images in this collection and click on the “Show Citation” box:

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation for This Collection

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